Facts and figures

  • October 2, 1962 - first fast reactor in the world to supply electricity to a national grid
     
  • 600 million kWh – amount of electricity produced by DFR
     
  • 24 – number of primary coolant loops
     
  • November 14, 1959 – reactor went critical
     
  • £15 million – construction cost in 1955-58
     
  • £240 million – decommissioning cost in 2008
     
  • 14.5 megawatts – maximum electrical output achieved in 1963
     
  • 10,000 tonnes – amount of concrete used to make plinth for sphere
     
  • 41 metres – diameter of the sphere
     
  • 70/30 – ratio of sodium to potassium in liquid metal coolant
     
  • March 28, 1977 – reactor is shut down
     
  • 2025 – decommissioning complete
  • 3000 – construction workforce from 1995-58
     
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Laying the foundations for the sphere

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Construction takes place in the lower half of the sphere in the 1950s

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DFR featured in a 1964 set of UK stamps devoted to technology

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Installing the reactor in the 1950s

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Flasks used to move fuel in and out of the reactor are removed as part of the decommissioning